Japan's parliament elects ruling LDP's Takaichi as 1st female premier
Japan made history on Tuesday as the National Diet elected Sanae Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as the nation’s first-ever female prime minister, breaking a political glass ceiling in a country long dominated by male leadership.
The vote in the House of Representatives (lower house) began at 1:08 p.m. local time (0408 GMT), where Takaichi secured 237 votes, surpassing the 233 needed for a majority in the 465-seat chamber. Her victory was ensured with the support of the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), which recently entered into a coalition agreement with the LDP.
Takaichi, a conservative politician known for her strong national security stance and advocacy for constitutional reform, officially becomes Japan’s 104th prime minister. Her confirmation by the upper house—largely a procedural step—is expected later in the day.
Earlier Tuesday, outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Cabinet tendered their resignations during an extraordinary meeting, clearing the way for the leadership transition. Ishiba stepped down last month amid internal party turmoil following a series of election losses that cost the LDP-led coalition its majority in both chambers of parliament.
Ishiba’s resignation marks the latest in a rapid succession of Japanese leaders—he was the fourth prime minister to step down in five years, following Shinzo Abe, Yoshihide Suga, and Fumio Kishida. His departure underscored mounting voter frustration with political instability and sluggish economic reforms.
Takaichi’s rise to power signals a potential turning point for Japan’s gender politics. Despite being one of the world’s most developed economies, Japan has consistently ranked low among advanced nations in global gender equality indices. Her election is seen by many as a symbolic breakthrough that could inspire greater female representation in government and business leadership.
In her first remarks after the vote, Takaichi vowed to restore political stability, revitalize the economy, and strengthen Japan’s defense posture amid regional tensions with China and North Korea. She also pledged to continue working closely with the United States while maintaining Japan’s pacifist principles.
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